Okay guys, I used the Lee case length gauge and the cutter on some brass that was longer than the maximum OAL. It was reading about 2.039-2.041 after a couple uses. When I trimmed the brass it cut it all the way to 1.990. I know these case length gauges are supposed to be fool proof but that sure seems like a lot. Cant find anywhere that shows what the brass should be trimmed to. Only the maximum OAL is given. Also the neck seems pretty short now. Any thoughts?

I've always found in the manuals that the trim to length is usually around .010 short of maximum case length. I have, in my 10 yrs of hand rollin, gotten brand new brass that come out of the bag .010-.015 short of the trim to length and used it without issue, but .035 seems a bit short. Hopefully one of the old hands at the game will chime in their thoughts on that issue.

Do you own any loading manuals? If not, I would suggest the Lyman or the Hornady manuals. They both have a maximum case length and a trim-to length (about .010" difference between them). This should clear up any confusion. .035 does seem like an awful lot of trimming too, but you may be alright to reload them as long as your seating depth is still within tolerance. Look at it this way, you won't be trimming for awhile.

I have some manuals that have lengths given in them but only max OAL no other lengths. Don't know why the case length gauge was trimming so much. I have sent an email to Lee. I'll let you know what they say.